The children of Odin - Germanic Mythology

26 CHILDREN OF ODIN
falcon and the sparrow with the great eagle pursuing them.
They knew who they were — Loki and Iduna with Thiassi in
pursuit.
As they watched the eagle winging nearer and nearer, the
Dwellers in Asgard were fearful that the falcon and the sparrow
would be caught upon and that Iduna would be taken again by
Thiassi. They lighted great fires upon the wall, knowing that
Loki would find a way through the fires, bringing Iduna with
him, but that Thiassi would not find a way.
The falcon and the sparrow flew towards the fires. Loki
went between the flames and brought Idima with him. And
Thiassi, coming up to the fires and finding no way through,
beat his wings against the flames. He fell down from the wall
and the death that came to him afterwards was laid to Loki.
Thus Iduna was brought back to Asgard. Once again she
sat in the golden house that opened to her garden, once again
she plucked the shining apples off the tree she tended, and once
again she gave them to the Dwellers in Asgard. And the
Dwellers in Asgard walked lightly again, and brightness came
into their eyes and into their cheeks ; age no more approached
them ; youth came back ; light and joy were again in Asgard.